She was the mother on
LEAVE IT TO BEAVER,
a popular tv show in 1957 to 1963...
she was thrifty, cooking meals every day...
probably no cereal for the kids...
I know my brother and I seldom ate cereal for breakfast when we were in school.
Mom made breakfast for us ea morning.....
Now, JUNE CLEAVER
cooked meals in cute, crisp dresses,,....
and
PEARLS.....
and
HIGH HEELS
and
the cutest, ruffles aprons.....tied around that ridiculous
TINY WAIST....
and she was very frugal in her grocery shopping and making meals for her family....
and looking beautiful while doing it.
WELL, every now and then...
I think I AM JUNE...
well....
minus the beauty....the pearls..
the high heels...I would surely break my neck if I ever tried to walk in them again...
and, altho I have some adorable aprons,
my waist hasn't been that small since I was 9.
I dearly love the rotisserie chickens from the super market...
but we can seldom eat the whole thing.
I had some great white meat left and wanted to channel
JUNE CLEAVER
and make something using this left-over chicken
green beans in the fridge...
left-over small bowl of corn
and 1 can of mixed veggies.
and my frugal friend, KATHY, told me several yrs ago
to boil all the fat, skin and bones left of the chicken
for some amazing broth.
I did this and
reached up to see if PEARLS had magically appeared around my neck...
...just take a look at this rich 3 1/2 cups of broth I have to add to my
CHICKEN POT PIE...
I had only 1 sheet of PUFF PASTRY,
another left-over...
and I really needed two.
so I rolled it as thin as I dared.....
it was enuf to cover the bottom of my 8X8 pan
but not to come up on the sides like it SHOULD..
OOO, well....
I cut enuf off the one pastry to hopefully be able to
make a lattice top of sorts over the top of the pot pie.
Into the over with the bottom crust for about 25 minutes...
meanwhile....
into a cast iron skillet, all the veggies
with a little broth into the flour
and cooked slowly until the "gravy" began to thicken...
then I added the white breast meat...
Yep...my lattice is pretty pitiful...
a whole lot too small for the dish...
I wanted to go borrow a pair of high heels from the twins
but then...
I thought about it AGAIN, and just put on some low wedgies and played like they were really high.
Here it is, all ready for about 45 minutes in a hot oven..
...and I had enuf veggies and gravy left to freeze...
they will be good over some homemade buttermilk biscuits some evening
when we don't have anything else fixed to eat.
I put the left-over chicken stock in a freezer bag....
and like the man that wears both a belt and suspenders,
I double bag my foods for the freezer...
???
not sure when I came up with that but, it makes me feel better to know it probably won't leak.
...hot, out of the oven with the skimpy lattice looking pretty darn good...
all brown and yummy looking.
Yep...
it surely could have used a bit more chicken...
and a full puff pastry on top....
but it was super good for our lunch today...
I used up a lot of bits and pieces of leftovers...
even able to add a bit back to the freezer for another day...
Well, why we would LUV to have.....
one of these cherry hand pies I make...
we didn't have even ONE to share...
but....we do love these little fruit pies...especially the ones made by August's...
and especially the APRICOT ones...
I always have a few on hand...
when my daddy was ill just before he passed away,
only 2 things could I get him to eat...
August's Fruit Pies
and Peanut Butter...
bless his heart...I miss him so.
ANYway...
add a little butter in a skillet...
put the little hand pie in that delicious butter,
sprinkle a bit of sugar and cinnamon on one side
and heat all the way thru...
Very VERY good for a store-bought little pie...
"June Cleaver", you ain't got nuthin' on me !"
(except pearls, high heels and a tiny waist)
BJ-great post , but I think many of us grew into women thinking that was reality and to be strived for. I love all you made with the chicken, great recipes. I do miss those little pets-because I am gluten free.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Noreen
yummy, now I am hungry
ReplyDeleteYou know what I am going to say, don't you, BJ? Here I sit, once again, starving at 8:27 PM, as I look at that Chicken Pot Pie. Scrimpy crust or not, it looks doggone good to me and so do those little hand pies. I have got to stop reading your beautiful blog this time of night. I think I've put on a couple of pounds just stopping by here! Gotta go grab a snack now!
ReplyDeleteBJ - What a cute post! Your chicken pot pie looks awesome and the little pies look delicious. You present your food so beautifully. I just sit it on the table - sometimes on a paper plate. It's really no fun cooking for just me and Bella. I miss having someone to cook for.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom was a "June Cleaver", My sisters and I were talking about that last weekend. We never had cereal. Mom fixed a huge breakfast every morning and Daddy always made the gravy. She baked cookies almost every day or so so that we had them after school. She was an extraordinary Mom.
Judy
Your chicken pot pie looked delicious. I had never had store-bought rotisserie chicken until about four weeks ago when our oven door was broken and wouldn't stay shut all of the way. I had always roasted chicken myself. Now I'm a big fan of store bought rotisserie chicken. It goes two meals for us. One meal is a real chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, etc., the second has been either chicken cous cous, or tonight we had cold chicken sandwiches. Now I've been inspired once again by your post. This time for chicken pot pie. I'm still hooked on the store bought rotisserie chicken, even though the oven door on our circa-1958 stove has miraculously healed itself so it's door closes again, and I'm able to cook in my oven again.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely dishes and inviting photos. Thanks for sharing and greetings!
ReplyDeleteThat all sounds amazing! The crust and the gravy in your casserole look delicious. Yes, I'd love a fried pie!!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! Happy to see this at Thoughts of Home. Pinning.
DeleteDon't burst my bubble --- I thought I was June Cleaver. All of us 1950's brides aspired to be just like her. I even have a picture of me in an apron and cute dress cooking dinner in 1958. Times have changed. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteI always avoided cereal in the morning because I always felt it took too long to eat. Now I eat it a lot because it's dirt cheap when you really think about it.
ReplyDeletePerfect, BJ. It's the taste that counts. Kathy is a doll.
ReplyDeleteMy mom's special was toast. She brought the toaster out and we made it! :))))
Jane
Love this post (((Giggle,,Giggle))) You crack me up !!!! I have to say I love a stylish apron with or without pearls ....
ReplyDeleteYou are so good, BJ. Love this and the pot pie looks so yummy.....CHristine
ReplyDeleteYou are so good, BJ. Love this and the pot pie looks so yummy.....CHristine
ReplyDeleteI loved June Cleaver too! And...Margaret in Father Knows Best! They were both SO much like my Mother! What a fabulous idea for chicken broth BJ....I am going to put this on my list of must makes! You win first prize for divine food photos! Have a blessed weekend love!
ReplyDeleteYummy looking meal. Have a blessed day. Madeline
ReplyDeleteOh BJ again you've brightened my day with your zest for life. . .and that chicken pot pie of yours! Hugs, Jackie
ReplyDeleteJune Cleaver...
ReplyDeleteLittle known fact....
The constant pearls, were not "in the script." The actor who portrayed "June," Barbara Billingsly... Thought she had a funny little spot on her neck. She choose to wear pearls, to "cover it up." :-)
Oh yes, I loved "June", and "Donna"... Never really 'got that into' the wife, in "Father Knows Best" though.
But!!! But!!!! My REAL fav. was "Mrs. Peel" of "The Avengers"!!! Diana Rigg in her cat suits! Wow!! She beat cleaning in a perfect house dress, for me! >,-)
Tessa
That chicken pot pie looks damn good!
ReplyDeleteLooks delish. I love pot pie -- not so much in the summer when it's too hot to cook. But in the winter much easier to cook a whole chicken for dinner and then have good leftovers for pot pie (and bones for stock, too!).
ReplyDeleteI haven't worn heels in at least 10 years. Probably more. I don't miss them.
bj your pot pie looks delicious!! I think puff pastry is the perfect topping for anything! :) I can see why your Dad loved those hand pies as I'm wishing I had one now, especially spruced up like yours is with the extra sugar and cinnamon. I guess we will always miss our Daddys. I miss mine everyday! And I'm still hoping to grow up into June Cleaver. I always thought she was wonderful. Have a great day and thanks for the entertaining start to my day! Linda
ReplyDeleteChicken pot pie just spells comfort! Yours looks delicious! I always come away with a smile when I visit here. What a fun post! Myself, I just want Aunt Bee to come live here, and make the chicken pot pies for me!! haha
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post, plus a good meal. You rock it, June Cleaver!
ReplyDeleteWell, BJ, it looks like you really did channel your inner June Cleaver! That dish looks delicious! I was so tickled as you were telling your story!
ReplyDeleteYou are just too cute for words, BJ! I smiled all the way through this post. My SIL in FL is just like you...she can create a wonderful meal from bits & pieces...always amazed me.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to have to start looking for August's Fruit Pies in APRICOT...a favorite flavor of mine...besides lemon, of course. Thanks for telling us about them & thanks for the smiles today, too.
Well I am here to tell you that I have laughed at your June Clever analogy today! Made my day! Sounds like you and I are a lot alike! I too use everything I can that is left over to come up with another meal plan and I too double bag my goodies! Loved this post and enjoyed it so much! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, when I think of you I ALWAYS picture you in high heels pearls, and a cute ruffly apron ;) That pot pie looks so good, I don't know why I have never thought of freezing extra pot pie filling to put over potatoes or biscuits, what a fabulous idea! I always love cooking once and having enough for a quick meal later!
ReplyDeleteAre you sure the 'j' in bj doesn't stand for "June"? That pot pie looks delicious! Leave it to Beaver was a childhood favourite show to watch.
ReplyDeleteLove June Cleaver and love this post. The pot pie looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteThat was certainly a different time and I love watching the old shows and the clothes! Lucille Ball vacuumed in heels and peals, too! Those ladies made housework look like an elegant affair...no yoga pants and a tee shirt, that's for sure! ;) Your pie looks great. Now I'm hungry!
ReplyDeleteoops...pearls!!
DeleteOh my there is so much comfort in this post. You should be proud of yourself June,I mean bj!
ReplyDeleteOh that chicken dish looks so lovely and I could go for a pie right now. Thank you for so faithfully joining us at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. You are a treasured blogging friend.
ReplyDeleteI think you channeled June Cleaver very well. I have never made a chicken pot pie with puff pastry before, but yours looks very yummy. May just have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Liked the desserts...
ReplyDeleteExciting evening here... a snake chewed on my hand for over three minutes...
the neighbor kids were terrified at a snake in their house... so Stacey to the "rescue"... better it bit me than the children....
Wait a minute....I thought **I** was June Cleaver? ha ha ha LOl Oh wait, maybe Im Alice from the Brady Bunch! LOL
ReplyDeleteThis is the perfect example of what happens when a great cook (BJ/June Cleaver) has leftovers and a practical nature.
ReplyDeleteThis is inspiring my friend.
Thank you for joining us at Thoughts of Home.
Your chicken pot pie looks so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us at TOHOT!
Jemma
I loved June Cleaver and you certainly do give her a run for the money! I have a photo of my Aunt Viola wearing an apron and pearls cooking dinner. The days when ladies dressed up to meet their mate at the door with dinner waiting. lol! I love using up leftovers like this and your pie looks delicious! When I make pie crust I make extra and toss one in the freezer to make pot pie. I have a recipe that only calls for a bottom crust. I figure it saves mea few calories. :) Have to tell you that I love those little store bought pies all because of my step dad. The only dad I ever knew. He took one in his lunch every day and he would always save half for us 3 younger girls to share when he got home. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Congratulations BJ!
ReplyDeleteYour Pot Pie will be featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Enjoy your new Red Plate and have a great day.
Come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Congrats on your feature at Full Plate Thursday Bj. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. I am pinning to try this out sometime. Hope you have a nice Friday and weekend. :) Julie xo
ReplyDelete